Author's Note:17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIg19KYeQY
Thank you for getting this far into the story! I promise that that a lot of your outstanding questions will answered in time. Hang in there.
Inside the tiny shack was just as simple as its owner. A wooden chair hugged a small table across the room and a sheet hammock hung slack behind it. To his left at the entrance stood a wood burning stove with an iron skillet resting atop it. A light layer of desert dust coated the room, apparently free-flowing from the window whenever a light wind would visit the home.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNbImV5Xae
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkIAqkDdxh
In the center of the room was an upside down clay flower pot, spot lit by the rays pouring in from the gap left in the shutters on the window.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEBxxUqCa7
It was small, with enamel glaze or flowers on the outside that looked to be painted by a child. It rested on the dirt floor with a long crack down the side and paint that chipped at the edges. Still, Zeph decided to carefully walk around it and sit at the table.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrnTlV3vQ9
Only moments passed before the man pushed open the shack door and took a few steps into the room. He spared a look at Zeph, sitting bare-cheeked in his only chair, before wordlessly shaking his head and setting down his things.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvgHI6CZcF
Zeph impatiently bounced his leg, watching the man set his basket on the ground next to the table and move around a pot and some utensils as if he was preparing to cook. He was rough looking; a thick raggy shirt draped from his shoulders and thicker pants clung drying mud to the fabric around his knees. He bore an unkempt, mostly grey beard and matching long grey hair that hid his aging face, leaving only his dark brown eyes and sun-spotted nose exposed to the elements.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2MFGgTlDK
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGeRIagOf6
Zeph interrupted the clamor of dinner preparation. “Uuuh, do you have any clothes by any chance?”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZHMSvcvNz
The man didn't face him to reply, apparently addressing the kitchenware.“Nothing for nothing.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGxVQFxgmm
It took a longer moment than Zeph would like to admit before he understood the man’s meaning before responding,“I have nothing to give.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanVwOzqf9s
“And you get that in return,” but just as the man finished his sentence, movement caught Zeph’s eye from the center of the room.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZrer8LQVp
The pot wiggled.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquPhYZFbu9
The man spun around, quickly slicked back some droopy curls from his forehead and dropped to all fours, his head mere inches from the flower pot. With a free hand, he gently lifted it from the ground revealing a tiny, pinky-capped mushroom.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUAeTsSOFn
The man drew his face so close to the mushroom that he nearly touched it with his nose, eyes crossed as he watched it. He listened to it. He paused for a moment before he spoke.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu1AKrqKwb
“Well sure but he isn't a ‘somebody’, neither.” The man addressed the fungus, straining his eyes to maintain focus on it. Zeph watched the man speak to the mushroom in the middle of the room and began to wonder if entering this shack was a mistake.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyvhrNN4NM
“Well, I guess I don't.” He spoke again. There was a long pause as the man intently listened to the toadstool.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qJMrAMrPF
Zeph slapped both knees. “Welp, I guess I should be going.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWvS28HSIp
He started to roll forward in his chair when the man continued raising an insistent hand for Zeph to stay put.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrncUR3Kdq
“I guess that's true.” Seemingly satisfied, the mushroom man stood up, leaving the clay pot next to the mushroom. He turned around to fetch a small cup full of well water from a bucket in the corner.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa6xoXXTgN
“Go ahead and grab my spare garment from the chest behind you.” He sprinkled water and bone dust on the soil around the mushroom and replaced the clay pot.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnF0oPn2GF
It took a moment for Zeph to realize the man was talking to him now. He looked behind the chair and found a small wooden chest on the floor. He retrieved the only set of clothes inside.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj8VHVFw1T
While Zeph was busy getting dressed, the mushroom man skirted around him to his favorite and only chair. He spared a moment of still reprieve before bringing himself to use a small cloth to wipe the dubious shapes Zeph left behind in the dust with his naked rear.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyvc431vPM
“Baker,” the old man began. He pinched out the rest as he sat, enduring the creak of his old bones, “hadn’t been so busy before late.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCix8naAi0j
“Who’s Baker?”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6kzBdGOtd
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0a01NlIKK
“Aint a ‘who.’ Baker’s a town about 3 miles north from here,” he scratched some dirt free from his beard before continuing, pointing a weathered finger in various directions as he explained. “First, some dead Laudendales two nights back. Then a poor farmer’s family there on one side of town, same night. Wuddn’t but last night that the banker, Crock, and his wife on the other side turn up dead in the most heinous. Lotta dead folk. Lotta strangers.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ493jRWBWe4
Zeph caught a stare from the man as he pulled the ragged shirt over his head. “I don’t want trouble.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNnI6YW8kV
“Trouble ain't something you bring along with you. I got a feeling trouble is sumin’ you gon find,” he took a visual inventory of the oversized clothes cascading over Zeph’s body. “Stranger.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo8yS1uGBB
“I’m trying to find a lost boy. He’s the one in trouble. Is there anyone else new to town? It would have been last night, I think.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWEPfdqGI6
“Well, it wuddn’t no ‘last night’ but they say a stranger came from the forest. A boy, but he’s wanted by the sheriff.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5gZrcNEqa
“It has to be a mistake! Dylan is a good boy!”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTkbDCCKVn
“Well, if’n you know the boy, you oughta get to town and state a case for ‘em. Though, he might get hanged ‘fore then.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWwa0bI1hN
Zeph’s arms dropped.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbPpRcPC0V
Without a word he sprinted out the door back into the savanna. The man looked down introspectively until the sound of footsteps came back to his door as quickly as they left. Zeph came bursting back through the door.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyoYFhjRoN
“Which way is Baker again?”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWpwHv3TBk
Mushroom man simply pointed and Zeph left once again.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9Y2xmEMt7
“See you tomorrow,” he shouted after him and the mushroom pot jiggled in agreement.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa8Q4KfRNZ
Zeph heard it but dismissed it for the crazed rambling of a dessert loner. If he found Dylan, he has no intention of staying here. Wherever here was. He doubted he would ever see that little shack ever again.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqMG5XbLix
Instead, he sprinted toward Baker, a middle of nowhere two to save Dylan from whatever horrible misunderstanding led to him being a wanted boy.
Inside the tiny shack was just as simple as its owner. A wooden chair hugged a small table across the room and a sheet hammock hung slack behind it. To his left at the entrance stood a wood burning stove with an iron skillet resting atop it. A light layer of desert dust coated the room, apparently free-flowing from the window whenever a light wind would visit the home.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPArfJfKR4Y
In the center of the room was an upside down clay flower pot, spot lit by the rays pouring in from the gap left in the shutters on the window.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfuf64ui2c
It was small, with enamel glaze or flowers on the outside that looked to be painted by a child. It rested on the dirt floor with a long crack down the side and paint that chipped at the edges. Still, Zeph decided to carefully walk around it and sit at the table.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2vGaC6Ocd
Only moments passed before the man pushed open the shack door and took a few steps into the room. He spared a look at Zeph, sitting bare-cheeked in his only chair, before wordlessly shaking his head and setting down his things.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNum7zBl4uU
Zeph impatiently bounced his leg, watching the man set his basket on the ground next to the table and move around a pot and some utensils as if he was preparing to cook. He was rough looking; a thick raggy shirt draped from his shoulders and thicker pants clung drying mud to the fabric around his knees. He bore an unkempt, mostly grey beard and matching long grey hair that hid his aging face, leaving only his dark brown eyes and sun-spotted nose exposed to the elements.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2myDLAmII
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVYczk7yrg
Zeph interrupted the clamor of dinner preparation. “Uuuh, do you have any clothes by any chance?”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH0s3zTUae
The man didn't face him to reply, apparently addressing the kitchenware.“Nothing for nothing.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2BnILvb7z
It took a longer moment than Zeph would like to admit before he understood the man’s meaning before responding,“I have nothing to give.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqwMP1eqNz
“And you get that in return,” but just as the man finished his sentence, movement caught Zeph’s eye from the center of the room.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTOPzXYmIE
The pot wiggled.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBqVJTYTUL
The man spun around, quickly slicked back some droopy curls from his forehead and dropped to all fours, his head mere inches from the flower pot. With a free hand, he gently lifted it from the ground revealing a tiny, pinky-capped mushroom.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KPbVP6pVk
The man drew his face so close to the mushroom that he nearly touched it with his nose, eyes crossed as he watched it. He listened to it. He paused for a moment before he spoke.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLC9RlWGF8
“Well sure but he isn't a ‘somebody’, neither.” The man addressed the fungus, straining his eyes to maintain focus on it. Zeph watched the man speak to the mushroom in the middle of the room and began to wonder if entering this shack was a mistake.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMA17uACwS
“Well, I guess I don't.” He spoke again. There was a long pause as the man intently listened to the toadstool.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCOnYbEpTM
Zeph slapped both knees. “Welp, I guess I should be going.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZWLM4iGc8
He started to roll forward in his chair when the man continued raising an insistent hand for Zeph to stay put.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgeGucHfOK
“I guess that's true.” Seemingly satisfied, the mushroom man stood up, leaving the clay pot next to the mushroom. He turned around to fetch a small cup full of well water from a bucket in the corner.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYtMODbApY
“Go ahead and grab my spare garment from the chest behind you.” He sprinkled water and bone dust on the soil around the mushroom and replaced the clay pot.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSy1goKZiy
It took a moment for Zeph to realize the man was talking to him now. He looked behind the chair and found a small wooden chest on the floor. He retrieved the only set of clothes inside.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhO1fqsUECF
While Zeph was busy getting dressed, the mushroom man skirted around him to his favorite and only chair. He spared a moment of still reprieve before bringing himself to use a small cloth to wipe the dubious shapes Zeph left behind in the dust with his naked rear.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzHHAFB6jl
“Baker,” the old man began. He pinched out the rest as he sat, enduring the creak of his old bones, “hadn’t been so busy before late.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUquvjwfZ2T
“Who’s Baker?”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV9eF3kNTz
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4URB6qOww
“Aint a ‘who.’ Baker’s a town about 3 miles north from here,” he scratched some dirt free from his beard before continuing, pointing a weathered finger in various directions as he explained. “First, some dead Laudendales two nights back. Then a poor farmer’s family there on one side of town, same night. Wuddn’t but last night that the banker, Crock, and his wife on the other side turn up dead in the most heinous. Lotta dead folk. Lotta strangers.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3oCXlnkot
Zeph caught a stare from the man as he pulled the ragged shirt over his head. “I don’t want trouble.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi9ltRuK8i
“Trouble ain't something you bring along with you. I got a feeling trouble is sumin’ you gon find,” he took a visual inventory of the oversized clothes cascading over Zeph’s body. “Stranger.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4M3zHsm3g
“I’m trying to find a lost boy. He’s the one in trouble. Is there anyone else new to town? It would have been last night, I think.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJNITeZLsV
“Well, it wuddn’t no ‘last night’ but they say a stranger came from the forest. A boy, but he’s wanted by the sheriff.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BVWI8cTNQ
“It has to be a mistake! Dylan is a good boy!”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ8SMm47Fl
“Well, if’n you know the boy, you oughta get to town and state a case for ‘em. Though, he might get hanged ‘fore then.”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4uNDsZI9x
Zeph’s arms dropped.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFtEEpQgUr
Without a word he sprinted out the door back into the savanna. The man looked down introspectively until the sound of footsteps came back to his door as quickly as they left. Zeph came bursting back through the door.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXV1isbwwMM
“Which way is Baker again?”
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMz4VLzbL5
Mushroom man simply pointed and Zeph left once again.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltnCO6JchP
“See you tomorrow,” he shouted after him and the mushroom pot jiggled in agreement.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKzZD1ahSy
Zeph heard it but dismissed it for the crazed rambling of a dessert loner. If he found Dylan, he has no intention of staying here. Wherever here was. He doubted he would ever see that little shack ever again.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgzzOVl5ze
Instead, he sprinted toward Baker, a middle of nowhere two to save Dylan from whatever horrible misunderstanding led to him being a wanted boy.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyH9KI00xc
and then Add to home screen.